The WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic as of March, 2020. The infection is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a beta coronavirus with 79.5% genome sequence identify to SARS-CoV. As of June, 2020. more than 400,000 people have died globally from COVID-19, and there remains no vaccine or approved therapeutic. The surface spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds ACE2 receptors on the surface of human cells. Once bound, the virus is able to enter the cell and translate RNA to produce more viruses. The SARS-CoV-2 envelope glycoprotein is a surface-exposed class-I fusion protein that has an ectodomain comprised of a receptor binding domain (RBD) subunit and a membrane-fusion subunit. Researchers at the Fred Hutch have developed neutralizing monoclonal antibodies capable of binding specific regions of the SARS-CoV-2 ectodomain. Drs. Stamatatos, McGuire, and Pancera have isolated 45+ monoclonal antibodies from serum samples derived from SARS-CoV-2 seropositive patients.
Applications
Could serve as an immediate therapeutic
These antibodies act as templates for vaccine development, or the development of screening tools and assays Use within a cocktail approach to reduce viral escape
Advantages
Fully-humanized neutralizing antibody validated in live virus
Blocks interaction with ACE2 receptor on human cells
Patent Information
Patent Pending
Market Overview
The Global Respiratory Disease Vaccine Market is expected to grow from USD 18,236.13 Million in 2018 to USD 25,236.13 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.75%. The global COVID-19 diagnostics market accounted for USD 4.9 billion in 2020 and with a CAGR of 6.1%, is estimated to reach USD 8.3 billion by 2029.
Investigator Overview
Leonidas Stomatatos, PhD
Andrew McGuire, PhD Marie Pancera, PhD Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division